STUDENT CELL PHONE USE

In an effort to improve the learning environment and better student relationships, THE Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education approved a new policy for student cell phone use in August 2024.

WHY ARE YOU TAKING THIS STEP?

Cell phones are a significant educational distraction not just for the students using them in class but for their neighbors. The constant pull for attention created by one’s cell phone also negatively impacts mental health and social-emotional learning. The average person now checks their phone 96 times per day, a 20% increase from two years ago. In school, this distraction impacts students’ ability to stay engaged in learning, focus on academics, and build healthy relationships with peers and school staff.

The Yondr pouch is just one of a number of new tools the District is using to help mitigate the impact that social media and smartphone use is having on our children and teens. We are working hard to ensure that all digital spaces in our schools are positive, safe, and healthy for kids to explore.

WHY ARE ALL STUDENTS BEING PUNISHED FOR THE ACTIONS OF A FEW?

Making schools cell phone-free is not a punishment. The Yondr pouches are a tool being implemented to maximize educational time and support mental health. By limiting distractions during the school day, we hope to increase engagement in learning and limit the negative effects of social media and reduce vaping and fighting.

HOW WILL I BE ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF MY CHILD DURING THE DAY?

During the school day, parents and guardians can call the main office to get a hold of their children.

DOESN’T LIMITING CELL PHONE ACCESS MAKE STUDENTS LESS SAFE?

We would not be doing this if we felt student safety would be compromised. Cell phones can actually create a distraction for students that can compromise their safety, both in emergencies and day-to-day as it relates to bullying and violence.

School staff members are responsible for keeping students safe at school and they receive extensive training so they are prepared in the event of an emergency. Each classroom is equipped with a phone and additional emergency communication tools.

THIS ROLLOUT SEEMS A BIT RUSHED. WHY DIDN’T YOU PILOT THIS IN JUST ONE SCHOOL?

District 11 leaders have been monitoring cell phone use and associated student discipline issues over the past academic year. Significant cell phone related disruptions are occurring in schools. This spring the Board of Education began researching measures to preserve the sanctity of the learning environment in the current landscape of modern technology. This policy was established after research and collaboration, and District 11 joins many districts locally and nationally in our efforts to expand engagement with peers and learning by limiting distractions from cell phones. We believe districtwide implementation will create consistency and demonstrate that preserving the sanctity of the learning environment is a District 11 priority.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A STUDENT IS CAUGHT USING THEIR PHONE DURING SCHOOL?

Our Code of Conduct uses a progressive discipline approach, meaning consequences become more severe if students are cited for the same infraction more than once. For a first offense, the phone will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school day. Additional infractions may result in suspension.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE OR FORGET MY POUCH?

Students will be encouraged to keep track of their assigned pouch, similar to how they are responsible for safekeeping of their laptops and other district assigned resources. If lost, a replacement pouch fee will be assessed.

If a student forgets their Yondr pouch, their phone will be secured in the school office until dismissal. If a student damages their pouch or is caught on their phone, school staff will collect the phone/pouch and contact a parent or guardian. Additional infractions will result in progressive discipline.

 

What is a Yondr pouch?

The Yondr Pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special magnetic locking device.

Why is the school introducing Yondr pouches?

The District seeks to limit classroom distractions and improve student engagement, mental health, and well-being.

How will students receive a Yondr pouch?

All middle and high school students (grades 6-12) will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone and/or smartwatch. The pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student during the school year. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times, for bringing it to and from school each day, and for keeping it in good condition.

How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?

Upon entering school, students will turn their phone off, place the phone inside of the Yondr pouch, and lock it in front of staff. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building.

What happens if a student doesn’t have their Yondr Pouch?

The phone will be turned over to main office staff and secured in the school office until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their phone by showing their school ID.

What if a student needs their personal device for a medical issue?

Students who have a documented medical condition such as heart conditions or diabetes that require the use of a phone to track and monitor their health will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch with a velcro seal. 

Are students able to access phones during lunch and other non-class times?

At all middle and high schools, phones are locked in Yondr pouches upon school entry for the day.  

• Upon departure from the school campus (during lunch, free periods, field trips, or after school) unlocking stations will be located on the exterior of buildings to release phones. 

• Student phones can be unlocked from pouches during extracurricular activities outside of normal school hours and if departing campus (e.g., athletics, clubs, internships, band, theater, etc.)

• Phones will be kept in pouches during on campus instructional zero periods. 

My student attends CTE classes off of District 11 Campus where Yondr pouches are not required. What will the process be for these students?

Students who attend offsite CTE classes in the afternoon will be able to unlock their devices when they leave the high school. Those who attend morning CTE classes will have to lock their devices upon arrival at the high school. The Roy J Wasson Campus does require Yondr pouches. Students attending CTE courses at the Wasson Campus will be required to bring their pouches with them and lock their devices upon arrival.

Will my student’s phone be safe?

Phones never leave the possession of the students when secured in their Yondr pouch.

Will my student still be able to listen to music?

Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their laptops. They can use the headphones for classroom work or for listening to music during free periods. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches, and other headphones, must be stored in the Yondr pouch.

What if a student needs to leave the building before regular dismissal?

If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, or other school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their devices at school just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building. 

What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day?

We understand that emergencies will occur. Parents may contact the main office to speak with their child if the need arises.

What happens if there is an emergency at school?

Every classroom in our schools has a phone to dial 911 and call the school front office. Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools.

What if a student does not comply or damages the locked case to access their phone?

Students who unlock the pouches, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action.  Damaged or lost pouches will be subject to a $30 fine.  Students will turn their phones into the main office each day until the fine is paid and a new pouch is provided to the student.

How will students be able to contact families if there is a lockdown or active shooter situation?

Students and staff at all schools practice Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter drills four times a year. During a lockdown, everyone is instructed to remain silent. The response action guidelines in the school's building-level safety plan include a community notification plan for all emergencies, prioritizing parents and guardians. This plan designates the school as the sole point of contact for parents and guardians, ensuring that emergency communication is clear, accurate, and minimizes misinformation.

What if my child is at school and needs to call 911?

Every classroom is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. There are no codes or prefixes needed to dial outside of the district. Anyone can dial directly.

Why can’t the school just implement a zero-tolerance policy and allow students to keep their phones put away?

Enforcement of this practice becomes the burden of classroom teachers when students do not comply, and valuable instruction time is lost as these issues are addressed during class. 

Requiring students to lock their phones away seems like a punishment for students. Is this the case?

The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:

• to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; 

• to reduce the negative impacts for ALL students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate; and

• to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.

If a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving the building, is there a way for students to unlock the pouch – i.e., an unlock station outside the school building?

There will be an unlocking station outside the building; however, it must be operated by school staff. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school to unlock it only during school business hours.

What if there is a building-wide emergency and students are unable to return to the building, how will they open their Yondr pouch?

There will be mobile unlocking devices available for these types of circumstances. 

If the Yondr pouch is stolen/lost who is responsible for replacement?

Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages the pouch, they will be responsible for replacement and may face disciplinary consequences. If a student loses their pouch, a replacement pouch fee will be assessed. As the new school year gets underway, the district will provide families and students with replacement protocols.

Will each teacher be able to unlock the pouches in the event of an active shooter in the building or a lockdown due to swatting?

No. Individual teachers will not be able to unlock the pouches.

How many Yondr stations will there be and where will they be located?

Yondr staff are currently working with district administrators to determine the final placement of unlocking stations before school begins. Safety, efficiency, and effectiveness will be top priorities in locating the unlocking devices. Yondr staff will also be on-site for the first few days of the new school year to help troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

What about students who use cell phones as translation devices?

The district will provide these students with technology to enable efficient and accurate translation for communication and coursework.

Do the Yondr pouches block cell signals or the internet?

Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet.

How will students know whose Yondr pouch is whose?

When the school year begins, the pouches will be distributed to each middle and high school student with an attached name tag and barcode. Staff from Yondr will work with school administrators to ensure a smooth distribution process. Students will keep their pouches with them at all times.

What tools will the school use to help gauge effectiveness of the Yondr pouches?

The district will use quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of Yondr in improving the student experience. A few key metrics used to evaluate implementation will be cell phone policy progressive discipline data from Q1 – Q4, student achievement data, and Panorama and 5Essentials survey data.

Will other schools in the district be using Yondr pouches?

No. The K-5 policy regarding cell phones is that all student cell phones or personal devices must be kept at home, in a locker, or in a backpack from the start until the end of the school day.

What was the decision-making process and stakeholder engagement regarding Yondr?

In Spring 2024, Board of Education Directors brought forth concerns about cell phone usage in the classroom as a form of distraction that contributes to decreased academic engagement as well as anxiety, depression, and other health concerns. This conversation surfaced after hearing persistent concerns about cell phones from each employee group in the district. The Board unanimously agreed to investigate a cell phone policy for the district–questioning how it could look, what it could entail, and how it might work. In order to garner diverse community input and perspectives from across the district, we brought the idea of a cell phone policy to the Design Thinking Lab. In that space, administrators, teachers, parents, students, and staff were able to engage with Board Directors to design the most fitting solution. The new policy emerged from that work and was approved by the Board at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

The information above doesn’t answer my questions. How can I submit a question about Yondr pouches?

If you have additional questions or concerns not addressed on this page, click here for our feedback form to connect with us.

 

THE ABCs OF THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

• Attendance Policy
• Behavior Policy
• Cell Phone Policy